Level of competitiveness of products exported by Minas Gerais

This work seeks to understand the level of competitiveness of products exported by Minas Gerais, identifying the sectors in the state as well as those that need public policies to promote exports. A descriptive and exploratory approach is used, which provides an overview of some of the main ideas that concern international trade, showing its importance for the economic development of a state. Documentary research was also done to explore data and information provided by the platform DataViva. Exported goods were grouped by the combination of the variables in the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index. This work aims to reinforce the importance of international trade and Ricardian theory for the economic development of Minas Gerais. The results show that the products exported, when compared to the products considered “competitive” and “with competitive potential” in Brazil’s exports, do not present, by and large, the same levels of competitiveness; therefore, many of these products should have their export stimulated. In addition, products with competitive potential exported by Minas Gerais are important targets for policies to promote exports.